Pacific Notes: Griffin, Suns, Lakers, Nash
With training camps underway, the biggest story in the league doesn't concern last-minute signings or roster battles, but rather the new anti-flopping rules. While the idea has been largely cheered by NBA fans, the NBPA is less-than-enthused by the idea and has filed a grievance against it. Here's a look at what Clippers star Blake Griffin had to say about it plus more out of the Pacific..
- Griffin believes that the anti-flopping legislation is little more than an attempt at a cash grab by the league, writes Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports. Ultimately, the Clippers forward doesn't see the fines changing the way the game is played. "I guess it's good in a sense that it stops any of it from happening," Griffin said. "But now you're telling me if it's Game 7 of the NBA Finals and a guy has a chance to make a play he's going to be like, 'Well, do I want this $10,000 or do I want a championship?'"
- The Suns will have to search for their identity in the wake of Steve Nash's departure, writes Tom Ziller of SB Nation. While the Magic have been widely talked about as the league's worst team, Ziller believes that the new-look Suns may not be far behind.
- Meanwhile, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld looks at how Nash might fit in with the Lakers this season. The point guard will celebrate his 39th birthday in February and has managed to stay remarkably healthy throughout his career, but his age may ultimately catch up to him.
Northwest Notes: Aldridge, Nuggets, Thunder
Here's a look at some items out of the Northwest Division..
- A free agent in 2015, Blazers big man LaMarcus Aldridge says that he's happy with the direction of the organization, writes Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge. "I'm fine with it," Aldridge said. "We have some guys who are really, really good. They're young. Give them one or two years and we should be good to go." The 27-year-old has yet to advance in the playoffs with Portland and finds himself without a bonafide No. 2 star to play with as he enters his prime.
- For the first time in three years, the Nuggets could go four months without a significant roster overhaul, writes Matt Moore of CBSSports.com. It remains to be seen how long that will last, however, with Ty Lawson in line for an extension, Andre Iguodala holding an option for 2013/14, and GM Masai Ujiri in a contract year.
- Thunder guard Daequan Cook doesn't expect James Harden's contract talk to be a distraction for the team this season, writes Susan Bible of HoopsWorld. Earlier this week, Harden says that he's confident that he'll get a deal done with Oklahoma City.
- After a slow rookie season, Derrick Williams appears to be on the right track heading int0 2012/13, writes Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press. The Timberwolves reportedly tried to trade the former Arizona star and two first-round picks to the Blazers over the summer for Nicolas Batum.
Atlantic Notes: Thorn, Wallace, 76ers, Nets
For years, the Atlantic Division was dismissed as the weakest in the NBA, even during the Nets' run as back-to-back Eastern Conference champions. The architect of those teams, current Sixers president Rod Thorn, says that the division is now the toughest in the league, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. “Oh my goodness, I think the Atlantic Division is the best division in basketball right now,’’ Thorn said. “Every team is better. Jersey (Brooklyn) got way better. Even Toronto will be better. I think Boston also got better. Every team in the Atlantic got better, and until someone beats Boston, they should be favored.’’ Here's more out of the stacked Atlantic..
- Rasheed Wallace, who has had multiple teams offer to bring him out of retirement over the last two years, said that he only wanted to play for Knicks coach Mike Woodson, writes Nate Taylor of the New York Times. The two became close when Woodson served as an assistant coach for the 2004 Pistons championship team.
- Sixers coach Doug Collins likes the flexibility that he has with this year's roster, writes Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News. With Andrew Bynum sidelined, the club was able to move Spencer Hawes up to the center position with Thaddeus Young manning the four in the starting lineup. Outside of that, the Sixers' bench has several players who can move between multiple positions.
- After struggling to fill out the rotation for the last two seasons, Nets coach Avery Johnson now finds himself with the opposite problem, writes Tim Bontemps of the New York Post. As it stands now, C.J. Watson, MarShon Brooks, Josh Childress, Mirza Teletovic, and Andray Blatche figure to be the first five off of the bench. However, others such as Keith Bogans and Reggie Evans could make a strong case for minutes as well.
Belinelli Hoping For Long-Term Stay With Bulls
Marco Belinelli's contract with the Bulls is only for one season, but the Italian sharpshooter is hoping to play in Chicago for longer than a year, as he tells Shams Charania of RealGM.com. Belinelli's goal is to share a backcourt with Derrick Rose, who cited him as the Bulls' most impressive newcomer in camp, for years to come.
"I’m here because I want to stay here long," Belinelli said. "I want to win and I want to improve my game. And it’s amazing to hear [Rose’s compliment]. For me, to hear something like that from the MVP of the team and one of the best players in the league, it’s unbelievable."
The Bulls signed Belinelli this offseason using the bi-annual exception, which played a part in hard-capping team salary at $74.3MM. If Belinelli has a productive year though, I wouldn't expect the Bulls to have an issue with re-signing him at a salary in the same vicinity next summer — particularly if the club parts ways with Richard Hamilton.
Belinelli, a former 18th overall pick, has already played for the Warriors, Raptors, and Hornets in his five-year NBA career.
Odds & Ends: Dwight, Lakers, Warriors, Bucks
The news continues to improve for Dwight Howard and the Lakers, as five-on-five scrimmages appear to be the only part of practices in which the big man in not participating, as Mike Trudell of Lakers.com writes. "As much as he’s practicing, to me he’s back," coach Mike Brown told reporters. "Just waiting for the doctors (and) trainers to clear him. When that happens, he’ll go full tilt. But he looks good out there." There's more on the purple-and-gold and others tonight as training camps continue.
- The Lakers are not for sale, but Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, whose name has come up as a candidate to buy the Warriors and the Grizzlies in recent years, says they're his favorite team and hinted to CNBC's Robert Frank that he might like to own them someday (hat tip to RealGM.com).
- The Warriors are taking a cautious approach with Stephen Curry in training camp as the team tries to assess his health as the October 31st deadline for an extension looms, reports Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group (via the Charlotte Observer).
- Thompson also sizes up the candidates to start at small forward for the Warriors, concluding Brandon Rush is the most likely to nail down the job.
- It's a jumble at the three spot for the Bucks, too, with Tobias Harris, Mike Dunleavy and Marquis Daniels competing for the starting gig, as Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel examines.
- The agent for free agent guard Maurice Evans doesn't expect his client will sign anywhere soon, tweets Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com.
- We passed along reaction to the league's new flopping policy earlier this evening, and Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News adds word from reputed flopper Manu Ginobili.
- Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel checks in with Arron Afflalo, who figures to take on a larger role for the Magic this year than the one he played with the Nuggets.
- Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle and Ken Berger of CBSSports.com provide more detail on the psychological struggle Royce White faces as he remains absent from Rockets camp. Matt Moore of CBSSports.com and Tommy Beer of HoopsWorld take it a step further, writing about their own anxiety disorders.
NBA Introduces Anti-Flopping Rule, Union Protests
10:49pm: Union vice president Matt Bonner doesn't think the rule will be upheld, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports (Twitter links). "Obviously, flopping isn't a good thing for the game," Bonner said. "The question is, how do you police it? Fining seems a bit extreme." Bonner would prefer the NBA to combat the practice by calling technical fouls, as McDonald also tweets.
7:21pm: The NBA has released a statement denying any wrongdoing, as Jeff Zillgitt of USAToday.com writes. "Although we haven't seen any filing from the Players Association, our adoption of an anti-flopping rule is fully consistent with our rights and obligations under the collective bargaining agreement and the law," said league spokesman Tim Frank.
5:50pm: The union's opposition is largely procedural, Ken Berger of CBSSports.com writes, adding that there was a dialogue between league and union officials before the rule was announced. The league had wanted a maximum fine of $50K, Berger hears, but settled on $30K for the fifth offense. The union is not opposed to a measure that would curb flopping, but believes monetary fines can't be imposed outside of those already laid out in the CBA. Berger clarifies that the union will file the grievance with the league office and the unfair labor practice with the National Labor Relations Board, which appears unlikely to respond anytime soon.
5:11pm: The NBPA will file a grievance and an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board stemming from the anti-flopping measure, according to a statement released by the union, which claims the league acted without its input. Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel posted a portion of the release via Sulia.
“The NBA is not to unilaterally impose new economic discipline against the players without first bargaining with the union," the statement reads. "We believe that any monetary penalty for an act of this type is inappropriate and without precedent in our sport or any other sport. We will bring appropriate legal action to challenge what is clearly a vague and arbitrary overreaction and overreach by the Commissioner’s office."
12:40pm: The NBA has officially announced the adoption of an anti-flopping rule for the 2012/13 season, according to a press release sent out today by the league. Players who violate the rule will be warned for their first offense, and fined for subsequent offenses, according to the league, which defines flopping as follows:
"Flopping" will be defined as any physical act that appears to have been intended to cause the referees to call a foul on another player. The primary factor in determining whether a player committed a flop is whether his physical reaction to contact with another player is inconsistent with what would reasonably be expected given the force or direction of the contact.
Whether or not a player "flops" will be determined using video review following the game, and I would imagine only egregious instances will be penalized. The penalties for flopping are as follows:
- First offense: Warning
- Second offense: $5K fine
- Third offense: $10K fine
- Fourth offense: $15K fine
- Fifth offense: $30K fine
- If a player violates the rule a sixth time (or more), an increased fine or suspension is likely.
The penalties implemented by the NBA for flopping only apply to regular-season action. The league is expected to announce at a later date a separate set of penalties that will apply to the postseason.
Atlantic Notes: McGuire, Ross, Brown, Brewer
The Celtics have won the Atlantic Division five years in a row, but a sixth straight title could be a tall order, as the rest of the division made strides in the offseason. There's news about pickups from each of the four challengers to Boston's throne tonight.
- Raptors coach Dwane Casey is a fan of Dominic McGuire and is glad his team fought off the Nets and the Warriors for the defensive-minded wing, who's in camp on a partially guaranteed deal, as Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun details.
- The Raptors' focus is starting to shift away from player development and toward competing, so that means Terrence Ross, the eighth overall pick in the draft, is behind DeMar DeRozan on the depth chart, Ganter reports.
- Kwame Brown figured to start at center for the Sixers when he signed his two-year, $6MM deal earlier this summer, but now he appears to be out of the team's rotation plans, as Tom Moore of PhillyBurbs.com writes.
- Keith Schlosser of Knicks Journal shares insight from returning Knicks on the team's offseason acquisitions, including Carmelo Anthony's praise of Ronnie Brewer, who came over from the Bulls on a minimum-salary deal.
- Newsday's Roderick Boone examines the dynamic between the new Nets backcourt of Deron Williams and Joe Johnson.
Northwest Rumors: Roy, Miller, Thunder, Blazers
- The Timberwolves are only two days into training camp, but Brandon Roy has yet to feel any pain or discomfort in his knees, and the team has been encouraged by what they've seen from him so far, as Ray Richardson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
- Brad Miller retired this summer after being used as a trade chip in a pair of deals, and now he's lending a hand at Timberwolves camp for a few days to see if he wants to get into coaching, tweets Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune.
- The backup point guard job for the Thunder is an open competition between Reggie Jackson and Eric Maynor, coach Scott Brooks said, and Jackson's summer league experience is helping him, as John Rohde and Darnell Mayberry of the The Oklahoman write.
- DeAndre Liggins explains how his non-guaranteed deal with the Thunder came about in a Q&A with John Rohde of The Oklahoman.
- Blazers coach Terry Stotts retreated from earlier indications that J.J. Hickson would start at center, and the starting job appears to be an open competition between Hickson, Joel Freeland and Meyers Leonard, as Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge writes in his breakdown of all three candidates for the position.
- Aaron J. Lopez of Nuggets.com looks at Andre Iguodala as he embarks on his first training camp with the Nuggets.
- Bill Oram of The Salt Lake Tribune examines the logjam in Utah, where nine Jazz players averaged at least 30 minutes a game at some point in their careers. That's a group that doesn't include young big men Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter, who'll push for more time this season.
Southwest Notes: Grizzlies, Mayo, Collison, Lin
The Grizzlies ended practice early today upon the news that Dana Davis, the team's vice president of basketball operations, had been found dead in his apartment, as Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported. The Grizzlies released a statement detailing his role with the team, in which he oversaw programs that worked toward personal, professional and social development of players, as well as his extensive community outreach work. Davis was a member of the National Civil Rights Museum Board of Directors. Here's more from the Southwest Division:
- Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle appears to have anointed O.J. Mayo as the starter at two-guard, as Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star Telegram tweets. "He’s going to be a starter for us, whereas he’s been a sixth man for Memphis," the coach said.
- Carlisle also has praise for new point guard Darren Collison, who must replace a championship-winning point guard in Jason Kidd and endure comparisons to would-be Mav Deron Williams, as HoopsWorld's Bill Ingram writes. "I always feel like in the NBA you’ve got to be your own player," Collison said. "Deron Williams is a good player, and I’m pretty sure Mavs fans would love for him to come here, but I’m my own player. I have a job to do here. My job is to win and make this team successful, and that’s it."
- Jeremy Lin told Matt Thomas of KBME radio in Houston that it was difficult to fight off complacency and keep his edge amid his sudden rise of the top. Chris Fedor of Sports Radio Interviews has the transcription.
- Jonathan Tjarks of RealGM.com gives his Southwest Division preview.
Reaction To New Anti-Flopping Policy
Much of the talk around the NBA today has been about the league's new rule on flopping, which quickly prompted opposition from the union. That dissent appears to be largely procedural, and many players have spoken in favor of the measure. A majority of Hoops Rumors readers gave a thumbs-up to the new rule in our poll earlier today, and we passed along Cavs coach Byron Scott's thoughts on the matter. Here's more input from players and coaches.
- Sam Amick of SI.com rounds up opinions from the Lakers, including Kobe Bryant, who called flopping "a chump move."
- Pacers coach Frank Vogel drew a fine of $15K from the league during the playoffs this spring when he said the Heat were the "biggest flopping team in the NBA," so it's not surprising that he's in favor of the new rule, as Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star documents. "The NBA does a great job delivering a great product and I think that's what they're trying to clean up more than anything, just the silly acting and trying to fool the officials," the coach said. "It's a good thing."
- Kevin Love believes the $30K fine for the fifth violation is "excessive," as Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune tweets.
- James Harden said, "It was bound to happen at some point and obviously the league got fed up with it and put it in, so I'm happy they did it," writes John Rohde of The Oklahoman, who also passes along the thoughts of Nick Collison, who's taking a wait-and-see approach.